VOL. XLVII NO. 5DECEMBER 2013

THEFUTURE IS NOW

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CDF FIREFIGHTERSOfficial Publication of the CDF Firefighters • IAFF 28811731 J Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95811(916) 609-8700 www.cdffirefighters.org

HEADQUARTERS OFFICE

Mary MaulhardtExecutive Secretary

Danielle KelschMembership Coordinator

Jenny HorstStaff Counsel

Jennifer SullivanOffice Technician

STATE OFFICERS

MIKE LOPEZPRESIDENT

CLIFF ALLENGENERAL VICE PRESIDENT

PAUL VAN GERWENFINANCE DIRECTOR

RICK SWAN STATE SUPERVISOR DIRECTOR

KEN HALESTATE RANK & FILE DIRECTOR

RAY SNODGRASSSTATE RETIREE DIRECTOR

BOB WOLFPAST PRESIDENT

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATEAARON READ

LEGAL COUNSELGARY MESSING

PUBLIC POLICYTERRY MCHALE

INSURANCE ADMINISTRATORHARRY J WILSON & CO(800) 549-4242

CHAPLAINJIM COOK

EXECUTIVE BOARD

PAUL DUNCAN DISTRICT I

TOM MCCONNELDISTRICT II

KEVIN O'MEARADISTRICT III

DOUG FREEMANDISTRICT IV

JIM CRAWFORDDISTRICT V

RICK CANNADYDISTRICT VI

DAN SUMMERVILLEDISTRICT VII

TIM STEWARTDISTRICT VIII

GLENN FLAMIKDISTRICT IX

RANDY SCALESDISTRICT X

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It is my honor to welcome you to the 48th Annual CDF Firefighters Local 2881 Convention.

It is interesting to note that the first convention was put together by adventurous firefighters who wanted to make sure that the next generation

would have better wages, benefits and work-ing conditions.

Since the beginning, the strength of our convention is that the focus has been to hear the voice of each firefighter on the front line. CDF Firefighters Local 2881 is a grassroots organization, and the resolutions we will vote on during this convention, come from men and women firefighters throughout our organiza-tion statewide.

Forty-eight years ago, the founders of our union put into the bylaws the importance of representatives from every chapter; gathering annually to speak on behalf of each firefighter they work with and talk to each and every day.

It is possible to trace most major advance-ments for our firefighters in CDF FIrefighters to the resolutions discussed at our convention. In fact, the uniforms we wear and the patch which bears our name, are the direct results of reso-lutions presented by your brothers and sisters.

The way our infrastructure is implemented in defense of our communities and our protec-tion of California wild lands also comes from the discussions that have taken place at the CDF Firefighters conventions.

It is an honor to greet all of you as we con-vene at the State Capitol. I hope each of you will take the time to walk to Capitol Park and see the Firefighters’ Memorial, a tribute to those who have lost their lives while answer-ing the call. The Memorial could not have been possible without the dedication and support of CDF Firefighters. Of course, I hope you will

also take the opportunity to walk through our historic State Capitol.

Our convention takes place because the brothers and sisters of our association are willing to volunteer their time to make it hap-pen. I am very appreciative of their efforts and respectful of the fact that so many volunteer anonymously and with the idea that they too are committed to guaranteeing that the fire-fighter’s voice is heard in California.

Please take the time to visit with your broth-ers and sisters from different parts of the state and listen closely to those responsibilities that bind us together and the difference that make us such a unique part of the fabric of California Fire Service.

Have a great convention.

Fraternally, Mike Lopez

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 2013 3

MESSAGE FROM CLIFF ALLEN | GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT, CDF FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 2881

HONORED MEMBERS, GUESTS, DELEGATES AND OFFICERS:

Welcome to the 48th Annual CDF Firefighters Local 2881 Convention. I hope that during your time here

in Sacramento you can reacquaint with old friends, as well as meet new friends. Many ideas and opinions will be shared late into the evenings. As we share with each other, remember we are working to better our union, wages, benefits and working conditions. This is your opportunity to guide our union, making a difference for those we represent now and in the future

As in the past, General Session will be filled with honored and distinguished guests. The afternoons will be busy with committees work-ing through resolutions via spirited debate. The evenings will hold many opportunities; enjoy the hosted and non-hosted events. Voting will be taking place throughout the convention.

This year, voting will be conducted in a slightly different manner than in the past. Booths will be set up, much like your local polling place, where you can cast votes on candidates and delegates to the IAFF and CPF conventions.

I look forward to visiting with you throughout the convention. For me, our conventions have been educational and informative, a time to help effect change. This is the last year that the convention will be held in December. Our next convention will be in January of 2015. Enjoy, ask questions, be involved and offer solutions.

Happy holidays! I hope you can spend time with family and friends. May you have safe travels wherever you may be going.

Cliff AllenGeneral Vice PresidentCDF Firefighters Local 2881

I started my accounting career in Yosemite National Park, where I met my future husband, Ray Martinez,

Riverside County CAL FIRE Captain and chapter director for Local 2881.

From there, I worked at Universal Studios Hollywood as an executive assistant to the Divisional Controller. When Ray and I married, we moved to Hemet where I used my account-ing background to work for small-cap publicly-traded companies.

MEET THE AUXILIARY’S NEW TREASURER: LISA MARTINEZ When Michelle Cannady asked

me if I would be interested in being a part of the CDF Firefighters Auxiliary, I was more than happy to join this great organization and looked forward to the opportunity to be involved in helping other firefighter families in need.

Soon after, I was asked to serve on the Auxiliary Board as the Treasurer. With over 25 years of accounting expe-rience, I felt I could be an asset and able to assist the rest of the team in

making a difference. Ray and I recently had the experi-

ence of being the family liaisons for the MacKenzie family whose son, Chris, was one of the fallen 19 in Prescott, AZ.

In the “Mission Statement” of the CDF Firefighters Auxiliary, it is our purpose to provide physical and emotional support to these families. So however big or small the need is, if we all work together, we can make a difference!

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 20134

The delegates at the 48th Annual CDF Firefighters Convention scheduled for December 12-15, 2013, will be considering 37 resolutions:

BENEFITS – JOINT COMMITTEE – 5 RESOLUTIONS

• To provide members of CDFF who are peace officers differential pay for the elevated life risk to the peace offi-cer, increased industry knowledge and training requirements required of CDF peace officers. CDF peace officers are required to maintain a level of profi-ciency within two full-time public safety industries. All of the knowledge, skills and abilities of the fire service and the knowledge, skills and abilities of law enforcement service are expected of CDF peace officers. CDF peace officers are performing fire service functions daily, and are exposed to the life risks and safety hazards involved with these duties. Simultaneously, CDF peace offi-cers are performing law enforcement functions, which may at any time involve being shot, having to use deadly force and performing tasks involving verbal and physical conflicts. There is a clear elevation of risk, required knowledge and training between CDF’s non-peace officers and CDF’s peace officers.

• To provide the member two options of receiving their uniform allowance.

• To increase reimbursement for use of privately-owned aircraft used on CAL FIRE business.

• To modify CAL FIRE Personnel Procedures Handbook 1000, Section 1506 – Grooming.

• To have the executive board direct our legislative advocate to work with a favorable legislator to draft language changing state law/regulation/statute allowing a statewide agency to function as their own LEMSA.

BENEFITS – RANK & FILE COMMITTEE – 17 RESOLUTIONS

• Section 4.1 and 4.1.1 of the MOU pro-vide CAL FIRE management broad authority to manage the department, operationally and administratively. The legislature, California citizens and employees of the department expect managers of CAL FIRE to conduct themselves above reproach and to hold themselves to a higher standard

2013 CONVENTION RESOLUTIONSof ethics, conduct and integrity than the average person. The abuse of such authority and power while managing employees and their work environments contradicts the standards expected of managers in CAL FIRE. When abuse of power occurs it negatively affects employee morale, operational and administrative production, sets a poor example for future managers and con-tinues a cycle of mismanagement.

• Provide more time for CDFF to discover, adjust and react to potential disputes with the department.

• Clearly define the T&D process and steps required to obtain a T&D assign-ment.

• To mitigate an essential missing ele-ment of salary calculation for the battalion chief (BC) classification. During the BC work week transition from an 84-hour work week to the 72-hour work week the element which identifies the planned overtime rate to be based on the 56-hour clock was not addressed. It was the intent that this element was to be included.

• To mitigate an essential missing ele-ment of salary calculation for the battalion chief (BC) classification. During the Firefighter I work week, the 72-hour work week, the element which identifies the planned overtime rate to be based on the 56-hour clock was not addressed. The original intent was that this element was to be included.

• To provide the paramedic incentive pay to battalion chiefs who directly super-vise paramedics, and is a licensed, accredited and ALS equipped para-medic.

• To provide members of CDF Firefighters who are “C” Fallers differential pay for the elevated life risk they incur over non-specialized personnel on fire assignments, because they have an increased industry knowledge and training requirements required of CAL FIRE “C Fallers, and that they are used as replacements and/or supervisors of private sector “C” Fallers who earn $100.00 per hour. CAL FIRE “C” Fallers are required to maintain a level of proficiency within two full-time public safety industries. All of the knowledge, skills and abilities of the fire service plus the knowledge,

skills and abilities of the timber industry are expected of CAL FIRE “C” Fallers. They work in the same environment. CAL FIRE “C” Fallers are performing those functions daily, and are frequently exposed to additional hazards and risks above and beyond what their peers and colleagues encounter. There is differ-ence of expectations.

• To properly compensate employees for additional work assigned.

• Establish an incentive program and wage increase for Bargaining Unit 8 employees whom college level degree programs.

• Amend Section 9.2 to make it more specific regarding certain disclosures of information and allow more fairness in the competitive process of reviewing a candidate’s objective qualifications and in selection of employees. The current policy has too many loopholes which allow for employee selection to be made outside of its intent.

• To enable the CDF Firefighters bargain-ing team to successfully bargain for a seniority based transfer system.

• Allow Bargaining Unit 8 permanent employees of the same classifications and applicable qualifications to perma-nently exchange duty locations. This allows employees another avenue to express preference in work location.

• To provide BU8 employees with leave credit usage options other than only approved MOU vacation.

• Update the Hawkins formula to reflect changes to AAV process made by the 2008 AAV side letter. Create a policy on how to determine modules.

• To establish collar brass reflecting the position and responsibility of the heli-copter position.

• To create a financial incentive for employees on forced overtime and cre-ate an additional financial impact in addition to the standard voluntary over-time rate, thus encouraging the needed hiring and retention of employees to fill current vacancies.

• To create an official policy on forced overtime.

C&OP COMMITTEE – 11 RESOLUTIONS

• Change the name of the union To CAL FIRE Local 2881.

• Amendment to Operating Procedures Handbook Section 0320.11, Per Diem for Union Leadership Team, to include additional union leadership.

• To increase meal allowance for CDF Firefighter travel.

• Establish an exploratory committee to consider the hiring of a professional negotiator to lead CDF Firefighters in negotiations with the state of California.

• Establish emeritus status for James Nolan.

• Establish emeritus status for Bill Christen.

• Establish emeritus status for John Berggreen.

• Amend CDF Firefighters C&OP.

• Amend CDF Firefighters C&OP.

• Create a policy or procedure that ensures that chapter directors are noti-fied by the CDF Firefighters Board of endorsements and PAC political activi-ties.

• Amend Section 1100 of the CDF Firefighters Operating Procedures so a resolution’s author will have a written response from their district.

Finance Committee – 2 Resolutions

• To provide cost of living allowances for various line items.

• To develop a “prorated” system for cal-culating CDF Firefighters Local 2881 union member dues for Limited Term (LT), TAU, and non-permanent “sea-sonal” employees to include those holding the position of “Firefighter 1” with their employer, CAL FIRE.

HS&I COMMITTEE – 2 RESOLUTIONS

• Have a defined emergency incident rehabilitation/work rest cycle.

• Update the BU8 MOU to current standards.

Once again, on May 4 and 5, CAL FIRE softball teams state-wide gathered in Pleasanton for CAL FIRE’s Annual Softball

Tournament.We had a total of 10 teams come and

compete for bragging rights and the abil-ity to say they are the best softball team in CAL FIRE for another year.

Ten teams are a far cry from the num-ber that used to come out to play.

I played my first tournament in 1990. There were 34 teams; a great time was had by all.

We played lots of great softball, drank ice cold beer and spent almost 72 hours hanging out with our brothers and sisters from one end of the state to the other.

Saturday’s games consisted of a round robin, 2-3 games to determine the seeding for the double elimination play-offs on Sunday.

Fierce competition filled the day as all teams fought to win the Championship Trophy and take home the “Bragging Rights” for the year.

San Luis Obispo and Riverside brought the muscle this year. Two teams each battling in the last few games of the tour-nament. The Riverside Blasters defeated the San Luis Obispo Bombers to play

CAL FIRE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA

in the semifinals vs. Riverside Havoc. The winner of that game would go on to the championship against the San Luis Obispo Sluggers.

Riverside Havoc put an end to the Blasters bid by defeating them by one run; but not before the Blasters could score 10 runs in the last inning before coming up one run short. The tying run happened to be at 3rd base when the 3rd out was made.

Havoc then had a monumental task ahead of them. The Sluggers were unde-feated going into the championship game, meaning that Havoc had to defeat San Luis Obispo twice to win the tournament.

Havoc went on to do just that. They beat the Sluggers twice in a row to become the CAL FIRE Softball Champions once again.

The Annual CAL FIRE Softball Tourna-ment was again a success. But, it could be even better if there were more teams playing.

The tournament is scheduled for April 4 and 5, 2014 in Pleasanton. Please get your teams together and let’s make the annual tournament what it once was.

For information regarding the tourna-ment, please contact:

Lou Ermigarat at louis.ermigarat@fire.ca.gov or faeermigaratbat3@hotmail.com.

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 20136

The first time I had an opportu-nity to address the convention body was in December 1977 when I was first elected as the state treasurer for 1978. While this was not the beginning of my CDF Firefighters career, it

was the beginning of my involvement at the state level of the organization.

Fast forward to today, some 40 years after I first became involved in this association, it seems the time has passed in the blink of an eye. Obviously that is not the case and many significant events occurred during these years. At the time, I had no idea I would still be around after 40 years, but alas, here I am, for better or worse.

I had the honor of serving three years as state treasurer and then two years as presi-dent. At the time, the term of office was one year. I later served on the state board as past president, state supervisorial representative, District 8 vice president, another period of time as state supervisorial representative and finally as your state retiree director for the past sev-eral years.

To the chagrin of some and the elation of others, it is time for me to step aside and

let those who follow continue with the job of representing all of our members, both active and retired. Even though each person on the state board is elected to a specific position, the work of the board affects all of our mem-bers. The changes made for active employees many times have a direct effect once a person retires.

Along the way, I have met many people that had a significant influence on my career, both as an employee and employee representative. It is dangerous to name names as it is easy to forget to list everyone. I do need to men-tion a couple, however, since they remain a part of my life even though they are no longer with us. They are Rosemary Brooks and Lock Richards.

Lock taught me a lot about dealing with people, the art of saying things in such a way as not to offend but making a point and remaining a gentleman (I didn’t always master that art).

Rosemary taught me discipline, improved my spelling and sentence construction. She also knew what I was going to do before I did it. She was uncanny about such things; and if I didn’t do what she thought I should, she certainly had a way of letting me know I had

screwed up. But I grew accustomed to that and now I truly miss those teaching sessions. Those were my formative years.

Today and all along this journey, there have been and are many people with whom I’ve worked that are exceptional. I truly believe this union and the department are in very good positions to thrive and remain strong. Not because of me as an individual but because of working together as part of a team rising to the challenge, battling to make substantial improvements to the wages, hours and work-ing conditions of our members.

There are continuing challenges so the work is really never done. As we speak, there are do-gooders out there trying to take back many of the enhancements that we all have fought to achieve, many taking years to accomplish.

I step down to let the train continue on the tracks to new heights and improvements. Your union is in very capable hands and I am con-vinced new thresholds will be reached that will benefit you in the future. This organization has shown the way, along with the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, to continue representing not only the rank and file mem-bers, but those members not allowed to be a part of the collective bargaining process. This full service has proven to be the best model that takes care of a member from the begin-ning to the end of a career as a firefighter in CAL FIRE and also into one’s retirement years. There is strength in numbers and those num-bers truly should be maintained.

You deserve to keep your defined benefit retirement system; you deserve to have your pay enhanced to meet the appropriate level for the work you do; you deserve to achieve a more traditional firefighter work week that rivals the current 56 hour work week. While it may sound far-fetched today, a 53 hour work week is not out of the question.

As I run off into the sunset, I will remain available to assist since this organization, this department and everyone associated with both, are so much a part of my life. I could go on talking about our history, the achieve-ments and changes that have occurred due to negotiations, meet and confer sessions and legislative action, but I won’t bore you with such details.

Let me leave you with a few words. These are not my words but they seem apropos to this occasion:

“Every struggle arises for a reason for experience or a lesson. A great journey is never easy, and no dose of adversity along the way is ever a waste of time if you learn and grow from it.”

Continue to learn and grow from the adver-sities and experiences you will encounter. As Mr. Spock always says upon parting ways, “Live Long and Prosper.”

Ray SnodgrassPresident Emeritus

FarewellBy Ray Snodgrass

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 2013 7

CDF FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 2881INVITATIONAL SPONSORS

Benefiting CDF Firefighters Benevolent Foundation

THANK YOU

PG&E

Carroll, Burdick, McDonough

Aaron Read & AssociatesYocha Dehe Wintun Nation

Page Design Group LA Firemen’s Credit Union

Rahn Conservation Consulting

Wells Fargo Pfizer FIRE ETC...

CSEA Kaplan San Francisco Giants

CA Technologies Sierra Pacific Foundation

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 20138

RUNNING:5K fun runs, Mud Runs, Color Runs, Electric Runs, RAGNAR (24hour running relay), Half and Full Marathons like the Tinkerbell Half, Avalon 50 mile run, San Diego Marathon, many of the Rock N Roll Marathons and we have one member, FC Kari Thompson, who qualified for Boston next year.

CYCLING:Century Bike Rides and the Death Race.

TRIATHLON:Our members participated in triathlons from sprint distance to full Ironman.

CALFIRETEAMSome of these were Tri-Harder-4 Kids, Spring Sprint, Solana Beach, Palm Springs Desert, Mission Bay, Tri-Rock, Wildflower, Vineman and Lake Tahoe.

We would really like to expand our reach and find out what people are doing through-out the rest of our department. As well as assist in supporting your needs both with apparel, training and logistics.

If you would like information about Team CAL FIRE membership and apparel please email Jeff Foy at jfoy74@yahoo.com

Please enjoy some of the pictures from this year’s events!

In 2013, Team CAL FIRE participated in a wide variety of events.

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 2013 9

CALFIRE

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 201310

I bid you all adieu. It’s been a long run. Unfortunately, the finish line is still not in sight, and indeed it may never be. As much as I don’t want to quit before the race is over my energy wanes, old wounds reap-pear, and my chipped, bloody sword becomes much heavier for me to hold. Younger hands must

take up the task. Therefore, farewell. I left the frontlines of firefighting to defend

our rights. Frontline firefighting was something I was designed for, I believe. Leaving it for a desk job was a hard decision for me. In April of 2004, there was a need for someone to step up and I was one of the chief complainers about what was going on. If I thought things were amiss, then it was necessary for me to put my hat in the ring. During the summer and fall of 2004, Mike Mattia and I split time at the rank

Farewell

and file desk, though Mike did most of it. You elected me to protect your rights. So I left the frontline and came here to represent you and you have honored me by electing me to this office five times.

I need to put this decision into context. I was addicted to frontline firefighting. Life on a knife’s edge is crystal clear. Make a mistake, you die. Succeed and become a hero or her-oine. The hero or heroine part we don’t think about when we are engaged. But the clar-ity and adrenaline keep us in this profession year after year. I lived to fight fires. I was alive when I was doing my job, every second etched into my memory. There is nothing like it I have ever experienced, not jumping off cornices with skis, not surfing big waves, not sailing through gales. While all of these experiences have strong memories, they do not contain the same clarity of purpose, the same crystal clear

memory that fighting fires has welded into me.Leaving the frontline was very difficult for

me, but protecting the rights of our firefight-ers was a higher calling, so I gave up my first love, the frontline, to engage in a different bat-tle. My first love is actually my wife, Shannon, but that is a different diatribe. It was and is a higher calling because of the number of fire-fighters involved and the purpose of protecting the rights of those firefighters. Justice is my other great passion (again, Shannon excluded). I pursued this calling because I thought I could make a difference.

Actually, if my memory has not completely gone astray, I was very vocal in my opposition to what was occurring during the last months of a failed administration of the state rank and file director who held that office in early 2004. It came to a point where I needed to put my money where my mouth was; that is, I needed

By Ken Hale

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 2013 11

to step up if I wanted change. As I sit here this evening, I can say I’ve made a difference in some cases. I am not sure about the impact I’ve made overall. I can say that CAL FIRE man-agement knows we will fight them on principle issues, sometimes at great cost. But the mes-sage is still clear. Cross the line, we will fight! They understand now that unilateral changes, at whatever level, have costly ramifications.

We are a union. I’m not sure what that word means to any of you. I know what it means to me. Individually, we have no voice, at least not a voice those in power are likely to listen to. Apart we are a whisper. Together we have the volume that causes those in power and those who oppose us to take notice. That unity gives us strength; it gives each of us a help-ing hand when we are singled out, it allows us to demand due process under the law, and it gives us the monetary power to change the world into one that is more amicable to the working man or woman. I cannot overstate the importance of this to all of us.

Unions were formed at the beginning of the industrial revolution. Workers banded together because they were starving and help-less against the abuses dumped on them by the owners of the mills, factories, and mines. The owners controlled everything. Mills and factories frequently paid employees in scrip issued by the company. That scrip was only good in the company store and could only be used one place, the company store. All the owner had to do to increase his profits was to increase prices at the company store, as that was the only place company workers could spend their earnings. By increasing prices the owner was able to cut wages, as well. If a dol-lar worth of scrip suddenly bought less food to put on the table, if it could be exchanged only for a smaller bolt of cloth, the wage per hour did not buy nearly as much. Most early unions were formed from the desperation of workers caught in this cycle. People were working six and seven days a week, twelve to sixteen hours a day and were still not able to put enough food on the table to feed their families while the company owners and upper management lived the life of princes. Workers who crossed the owners risked being black-balled. Despite the dire situation of most of the workers I’ve described above, being black-balled was much worse. It was tantamount to an order to starve the employee’s family and expose them to the elements of winter as most worker housing was company owned. Cross the boss and loose the roof over your head as well as food in your children’s bellies.

One of the first labor unions to form in this country was a collection of seamstresses in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The women banded together in the early 1800’s because their chil-dren were going hungry even though they were working twelve to sixteen hours a day, six

days a week. This strike had some success. A wage decrease and longer hours at the mill were rescinded. The leaders of the strike were blackballed. Some of them died that winter from exposure and hunger during the winter of 1824-25. Over the last two centuries, our union brothers and sisters fought and suffered through battles that included beatings, murder, and in at least one case, being massacred by machine guns fired by U.S. Army troops. Their sacrifice and perseverance has allowed each of us the freedoms and choices we have today.

The union movement progressed very slowly in the nineteenth century. Union lead-ers were faced with one setback after another, but there were also slow successes until the Great Depression. It was during this economic cataclysm that labor was finally recognized as crucial for the economic survival of this coun-try. President Roosevelt needed the factories to go back to work to get the U.S. out of the Depression, so he signed the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. That was followed by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. These two laws set the standards under which most of us work today, i.e. an eight hour workday, a five day workweek, overtime for more than 40 hours a week, and most importantly, the right to form and join unions. Unionization of industry in the U.S. is one of the major contrib-utors to the creation of the largest middle class the world has ever known. That would be the middle class in the United States of America. WWII pushed the equation in the union’s favor. The whole country went back to work building ships, tanks, rifles, and everything else that was needed to win. Wages increased in both union and non-union shops because the union shops set the scale. If an employer wanted good employees, he had to pay something similar to what that person could get work-ing in a union shop. The war ended. We won. With the end of WWII, the economic equa-tion had changed in this country. Henceforth, this economy would be based on middle class spending. The economy boomed. Most of us grew up in middle class homes. We had a car in the garage, a roof over our heads that did not belong to the company, and good food on the table. We did not belong to a company. We were free.

While I will not belabor the history of the union movement any longer, it is imperative that each of us know whose shoulders we are standing on and how it came to be that we enjoy such a high standard of living com-pared to the rest of the world. Those who came before us suffered greatly, some even died, for what we have today. Unions played a great part in the creation of the middle class most of us grew up in. We must all understand the foundation that those who came before us laid. They had the greater good for all working peo-ple in mind. We create the product; we should

share in the bounty created by that product.For us in the fire service, it is a bit differ-

ent. We protect the product, homes, and lives of those who create not only the ideas that keep this country moving, but those whose labor takes those ideas and makes them into a thing all of us can touch. For our sacrifice, we earn our share.

It’s been a good run. You have honored me with the confidence shown by electing me five times. As I stated earlier, it is time for younger blood to step up and take this bloodied but still sharp and well used sword from my hand.

You will all have to indulge me with this last bit. There are a multitude of people who I need to thank publically. First and foremost, I want to thank my wife Shannon for putting up with me through all the travails that come with this job. As I’ve told many of you, I’m pretty sure she is going for sainthood, even though we are not Catholic. We’ve been married for thirty one years in March. My two daughters, Kelly and Kayla, have been important in keeping me moderately sane. Reeling “Dad” back in and making me place my feet firmly on the ground is a gift that both of them gave me…..well, at least sometimes. Bob Wolf is my friend. I could always go into Bob Wolf’s office and bounce ideas off of him and talk about problems. We worked together for more than eight years. I will miss Mary Maulhardt’s smile and laughter. I will also miss her frown when something has gone awry, especially during board meetings, though sometimes those frowns were directed at me for trying to inject a little levity into the meeting. Perhaps my timing was bad on occa-sion, but it made the time go faster for me. Each of us needs to thank Jenny Horst for all her efforts in general, and I want to thank her in particular for her ability to take some of the workload off of me. It has been a pleasure to watch her blossom into the staff counsel we have needed for years. I would be remiss if I did not mention Danielle and Jennifer of our office, as both have made life in the office a bit easier. There are many more I should name, the entire bargaining team, my good friends Ray Snodgrass, Gary Messing, and Ron Yank, but I fear the list will be too long. Lastly, I want to thank all of you who have stepped up to fill rank and file rep positions. I have learned something from every one of you. Thank all of you for that. I’m two months into my tenth year as your State Rank and File Director, so there are many, many more I should thank for their assistance. I apologize to all of you I’ve left off this list for the sake of expedience.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you.

Ken HaleOutgoing State Rank and File DirectorCDF Firefighters, IAFF Local 2881

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 201312

You will have the chance to WIN a 7 night stay in a beautiful 2 bedroom condo located in CABO!! With access to a private beach in the exclusive Pedregal neighborhood, 10 minute walk to town and marina.

The Auxiliary will be at The 48th Annual

CDF Firefighters Convention

December 12-15, 2013 in Sacramento

We welcome you to come by and see us at our table.

We have new merchandise for sale.

On Saturday, December 14, following our general meeting it is off to “Old Town” for some fun! Join us for lunch and shopping in one of my favorite places in Sacramento.

AUXILIARY

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 2013 13

I previously discussed the early and middle stages of your career relative to retirement planning. Hopefully, you were successful in using the pre-tax meth-odology of contributing to a 401(k) plan

and/or a 457 plan to enhance your available funds after retirement. Remember, these plans are available to you either through the Savings Plus (found on the CalHR website) or you may also use a plan offered through CalPERS at www.calpers.ca.gov.

As you enter the final year of employment, choices will need to be made on how you wish to deal with your cash-out of unused leave credits, whether you wish to tax-defer at least portions of your cash-out, spread the cash-out over two tax years or simply take the cash-out in total at the time you retire.

Should you choose to retire between November 1 and December 31, you may be able to split your cash-out over two tax-years. You may also be able to tax-defer some, or all, of your cash-out also over two tax-years. The amount you may tax defer into a 401(k) and/or a 457 account depends on how much you may have already put into each plan through the Deferred Compensation Plan during the current tax year. The limits for contributions for the 401(k) and the 457 plans are available by contacting Savings Plus. Here is a link to the CalHR/Savings Plus website to view other subject matter that will be helpful when plan-ning your retirement/financial future: https://www.savingsplusnow.com/401k457/plans/comparison_chart.html.

TRADITIONAL CATCH-UP (457 ONLY)The 457 Plan has a special provision that allows you to increase the annual limits to catch up on contributions you underutilized in prior years. You’re only eligible to partici-pate in catch-up during the three years prior to your normal retirement age. Savings Plus defines normal retirement age as a range between age 50-70½. It’s up to you to decide your normal retirement age. Traditional catch-up eligibility is calculated based on the prior calendar years in which you contributed less than the maximum amount under your current employer. You must also meet the following requirements.

You’re a permanent employee with the State of California, the California State University system, the Senate Rules

RETIREMENT 301Nearing the End of Your Working Career

Committee, the Assembly Rules Committee, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, or the Judges’ Retirement Systems, and

You were eligible to contribute to the Savings Plus 457 plan in prior years but either weren’t enrolled or didn’t contribute the maxi-mum amount allowed.

You cannot combine traditional catch-up and age-based limits for the 457(b) in the same year.

If you think you want to tax-defer a por-tion of your cash-out, consider stopping your deferred compensation plan around January 1 of the year you anticipate retiring. This will allow you to tax-defer the maximum allowable for the tax-year when you do cash out upon your retirement date.

You may also direct that your cash-out be completed over two tax-years. This option is only available to you if you retire in the two-month window between 11-1 and 12-31 of the year.

The COLA provided to state retirees can be up to 2% per year based on a complex formula using, in part, the CPI. Upon retirement, you must go through a two year waiting period before you become eligible for the COLA. If you are retired just one (1) day in any given tax year, that one day of retirement counts as one of the two years of the waiting period. You then will become eligible for the COLA one year and one day after date of retirement. For instance, if you are retired effective 12-31-13 (last day on the job would be 12-30-13) and your first day of retirement is 12-31-13, that day counts as one of the tax-years in the waiting period. You will become eligible for the COLA on January 1, 2015, 12 months and one day after retirement.

If you switched to annual leave from the traditional vacation/sick leave model, you may choose to take time off on annual leave just prior to your retirement date. The option to use any other unused leave credits rests on the consent of the employer, such as PLP, PARR time, holidays, CTO, or vacation. You may also enhance your service credit using any unused sick leave credits upon retirement. As an example, if you have 1000 unused sick leave hours, convert the hours to days, 1000 divided by 8 and multiply the result by .004. Each day (8 hours) is valued at .004 years. 1000 divided by 8 equals 125 days. 125 times .004 equals .5 years. Add the .5 amount to your state service credits. The total will be your service credit used to calculate your retirement

allowance. There is no limit on the amount of unused sick leave you may use to enhance your service credit; however, your retirement benefit may not exceed the maximum allow-ance provided in your retirement plan. For many POFF members right now, the amount is 90%. If you have more sick leave credits than you need to get your benefit up to 90%, then you lose the remaining hours. Finally, sick leave credits DO NOT enhance your age factor, only your service credits up to the maximum benefit level.

As CalPERS has enhanced their on-line services to you, there are several more options open to you. If you have not already done so, I strongly suggest you go to www.mycalpers.ca.gov and create your customized web page. Once established, which takes about 3 to 5 minutes, you will be able to see your accu-mulated retirement funds, check your service credit, file forms online that previously had to be done by snail mail and several other items. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the available online services.

Just for fun, I challenge you to run the retirement estimator to determine the best time for you to retire. The date might be ear-lier than you think.

I hope this series of articles has been help-ful to you in the retirement planning process. Should you have questions about financial planning, I strongly urge you to consult a tax/financial planning advisor. The opinions I have expressed in the article are my own based on personal use and the experience of many of our members who have gone through the retirement process.

There are many forms and publications available online through CalPERS and CalHR. Most may be downloaded and printed for ref-erence. Link to Savings Plus: http://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/savings-plus.aspx

Link to CalPERS: http://www.calpers.ca.gov

As of October 18, 2013, the Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF) is valued over $277 billion dollars and the overall CalPERS system is 73.6% funded and growing.

Ray SnodgrassState Retiree DirectorOctober 18, 2013

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CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 201314

DID YOU KNOW?

• That CDF Firefighters has two new retired members? Welcome to: Robert Eicholtz, Marysville James Cheadle, Coos Bay, OR

• The next meeting of the CDF Firefighters Executive Board of Directors is scheduled for December 9-11 prior to convening the 48th Annual CDF Firefighters Convention on December 12-15, 2013, at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento?

• That the following is the schedule for the remainder of this year’s retired member get-togethers? Amador-El Dorado - third Tuesday of each month, breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s, Highways 49 and 88 in Jackson. Contacts: Hoot Gibson (209) 223-2281, or Sheridean Swift (209) 223-1310. Butte – third Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m., rotating between Paradise, Chico and Oroville. Below is the schedule for the remainder of 2013 and 2014: December 18 – Oroville January 15 – Paradise February 19 – Chico March 19 – Oroville April 16 – Paradise May 21 – Chico June 18 – Oroville July 16 – Paradise August 20 – Chico September 17 – Oroville October 15 – Paradise November 19 – Chico December 17 - Oroville Meeting locations are the Cornucopia Restaurant at 515 Montgomery Street in Oroville, Kalico Kitchen, 2396 Esplanade, Chico,and Cozy Diner at 6371 Skyway in Paradise. All CDF retirees in Butte County and the surrounding areas are welcome to attend. For more information, call 530-589-0764 or 530-877-6464. Fresno-Kings - first Monday of each month, 9:00 a.m. at the Brooks Ranch Restaurant at Chestnut and Highway 99 in Fresno. Contacts: Don Olday (559) 787-2453, Jerry Barnard (559) 432-6499, or Ken Karle (559) 834-2763. Humboldt-Del Norte - luncheon meeting takes place the first Wednesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at the Bear River Casino. Take Exit 692 and proceed uphill on Singley Rd for a quarter mile. All retirees, as well as former and active CDF employees, are welcome to attend. Please contact

Brian Burger at 707-725-5563 or at fireworn@suddenlink.net or Jim Moranda at jbmoranda@suddenlink.net if you plan on attending. Madera-Mariposa-Merced - third Monday of each odd-numbered month, lunch at 11:30 a.m. at the Iron Kettle in Oakhurst, and the third Wednesday of even numbered months at 11:30 a.m. at the Triangle Café in Mariposa. Contact: Jim Turner (209) 966-3988. Mendocino – first Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m. rotating between Ukiah, Fort Bragg and Willits. The schedule for the remainder of 2013 and 2014 is: January 6 – Fort Bragg February 3 – Ukiah March 3 – Willits April 7 – Fort Bragg May 5 – Ukiah June 2 – Willits July 7 – Fort Bragg August 4 – Ukiah September 1 – Willits October 6 – Fort Bragg November 3 – Ukiah December 1 - Willits Meeting locations are Henny Penny in Ukiah at 697 South Orchard Avenue, David’s Deli in Fort Bragg at 163 Boatyard Road and Lumberjacks in Willits, 1740 South Main. Contact: Ken Schleintz (707) 328-8083. Nevada-Yuba-Placer - second Thursday of each month, lunch at 11:30 a.m. at “Larry and Lena’s,” intersection of Highway 49 and Alta Sierra Drive. North Coast – the second Wednesday of each even month at 11:30 a.m. at the Legends Bennett Valley Golf Course Restaurant,3328 Yulupa Avenue in Santa Rosa. Contact: Ron Matteoli (707) 527-8993 or bat1413@aol.com. Riverside – the third Thursday of February at 11:30 a.m. at the Sizzler in Perris on Nuevo Road near Perris Blvd. in the Stater Brothers Shopping Center. San Benito-Monterey – the third Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. Contact: Steve Norris at (831) 663-3688 or swnorris@sbcglobal.net. San Bernardino - second Saturday of odd months, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at DJ’s Coffee Shop, 265 East 40th Street, San Bernardino. Contact: Jerry Glover (909) 421-1135. San Diego - second Wednesday of every third month (next meeting on January 8, 2014) at the Boll Weevil Restaurant, 2548 Main Street, Ramona, at 12 noon. Contact: Mike Valley (619) 997-9366 or

Lennie Baker (760) 789-3438. San Luis Obispo – second Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. The odd months are held in the south county at IHOP’s, 212 Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo. The even months are held in the north county at Carrow’s, 7300 El Camino Real, Atascadero. Contact: Don Salisbury (805) 544-0849. San Mateo-Santa Cruz – first Thursday of every month at noon at the Santa Cruz Diner, 909 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. Contacts: Ken Thomas (831) 724-0233 or Ken Gilbert (831) 426-0960. Santa Clara – the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 a.m., at Station 55 on 5th Street between Monterey Street and Eigleberry in Gilroy. Exceptions: March meeting will be held in Los Banos and at Jack’s ranch in August. Contacts: Zack Snyder at snyderzd@verizon.net. Trinity and Redding Region Office - first Thursday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at Country Waffles, 2300 Athens Avenue, Redding. Contacts: Brian Weatherford (530) 241-7141, or Ray Stewart (530) 243-8511. The Siskiyou Unit Retirees - the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 a.m. for breakfast. Odd months at “Bob’s Ranch House” in Etna and even months at the “Black Bear” in Yreka. All are welcome. For more information contact Doug Kaufner at (530)340-0667 or John Berggreen at (530)467-3519. Sonoma-Lake-Napa – the second Wednesday of every even-numbered month at 11:30 a.m. in the Legends Restaurant at the Bennett Valley Golf Course in Santa Rosa. Contact: Ron Matteoli – batt1413@aol.com. Tehama-Glenn – second Tuesday of each month, breakfast at 8:00 a.m. at the Rolling Hills Casino Buffet in Corning. Access is off of I-5 at Liberal Avenue south of Corning. Contacts: Jim Ross (530) 529-1630. Tulare - first Tuesday of each month, breakfast at 9:30 a.m. at Ryan’s Restaurant in Visalia on Mooney Boulevard north of Caldwell Avenue. Contacts: Ken Kenoyer (559) 784-8846, Bill Bruno (559) 733-7676 or Ed Bartlett (559) 733-8655. Tuolumne-Calaveras - second Tuesday of the month, breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Rodz Grill, 730 South Main Street, Angels Camp, CA. Contacts: Bob Yohr (209) 588-2711, Bob Sutton (209) 532-2991, Buddy DeMasters (209) 772-1476, Debbie Nelson (209) 754-3831 or Carl Nicolson (209) 772-2344.

CDF NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 2013 15

On behalf of the Sheraton Grand Hotel, I would like to welcome the 48th Annual CDF Firefighters Convention to Sacramento! Your courageous work and dedication pro-tecting the citizens of California is greatly appreciated and we truly admire the charitable contributions you make to your members and the community. Thank you, for all you do for the great state of California! Richard Hill, General Manager

During your convention, we are excited to offer the following specials

Happy Hour every night, all night

Relax with friends and enjoy your favorite beverages and snacks

In Public Market Bar, daily 3:00 PM - close

Show your convention badge for a 15% discount on breakfast in Morgan's Restaurant and lunch and dinner in PMB* *15% off offer excludes alcohol

15% off Food and Beverage Discount

1731 J St. Suite 100Sacramento, CA 95811(916) 609-8700www.cdffirefighters.org

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSacramento, CAPermit No. 989

Affiliated with International Association of Fire Fighters and California Professional Firefighters